I-35W / Fourth Street Ramp Construction Traffic Updates

Traffic Impacts - Lane and Ramp Closures
 
May 28 through early June
- The Johnson Street exit from northbound I-35W will close while crews construct a temporary bypass that will allow motorists to access Johnson Street. Motorists should use the New Brighton Boulevard/Stinson Boulevard exit during the temporary closure.
 
June through October
- Eastbound traffic on 4th Street South will be rerouted to 3rd Street South, resulting in head-to-head traffic.
- 3rd Street South traffic will be shifted periodically 
- Southbound I-35W impacts will be limited to shoulder closures and nighttime lane closures.

June through November
- The three lanes of northbound I-35W between University Ave Northeast and the Johnson Street exit will remain open, but will shift toward the center median.
- The northbound ramp from University Avenue Southeast/4th Street Southeast to I-35W will close for 21 days
- The northbound I-35W ramp to Hennepin Avenue East will close for seven days
 
September through November
- Northbound I-35W traffic will shift to the newly constructed outside areas to maximize the available working area on the inside.

About
This project is a collaborative effort of Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The purpose of the project is to relieve congestion on Washington Avenue, improve access to northbound I-35W from downtown Minneapolis, reduce the traffic that diverts through Northeast Minneapolis to access northbound I-35W, and to improve access to northbound I-35W. This project also proposes the possibility of erecting noise walls in southeast and northeast Minneapolis along the I-35W corridor.

Summary of Work
- Build a new ramp from 4th Street South to northbound I-35W
- Construct an auxiliary lane from University Avenue to the Johnson Street exit
- Reconfigure Johnson Street exit to serve Johnson Street, New Brighton Boulevard and Stinson Boulevard

Cost
$15.4 million (state and local taxes)